(AUGUSTA, GA) – Paine College will host its 130th Baccalaureate Convocation on Saturday, May 12, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. in the Gilbert-Lambuth Memorial Chapel. Rev. Dr. Marvin A. Moss, the senior paster of Cascade United Methodist Church located in Atlanta, Georgia, will be the keynote speaker. Open to the public, this service of worship will celebrate the graduating class of 2012.

Dr. Moss serves as the twentieth Pastor of the historic Cascade United Methodist Church in Southwest Atlanta; the same church where Civil Rights icon Reverend Joseph Lowery served as pastor (1986-1992). Prior to Cascade, Dr. Moss served as Senior Pastor at St. James United Methodist Church in Alpharetta, Georgia (1999-2006). Under Pastor Moss' leadership, St. James grew from fewer than 200 members to more than 1200. Prior to his pastoral duties there, he was Associate Pastor at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church in Decatur, GA., from 1994 until he was re-assigned in 1999. Dr. Moss is a native of Goldsboro, North Carolina, where he was educated in the public schools and graduated from Goldsboro High School in 1981. He is a graduate of Hampton University, the Naval Chaplains Reserve Officers School, and holds a Master of Divinity Degree from Gammon Theological Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC), and a Doctor of Ministry Degree from Drew University.

Cascade continues its legacy of being a “Light in the Community,” while leading worshippers into the 21st century. The church places an emphasis on developing quality programs, which nurture children and youth, and teaches the principles of giving time, talents and resources. He is the founder of the newly formed Cascade Community Development Corporation, which will provide an incubator for new and small businesses, revitalize depressed areas and provide economic empowerment opportunities in the Cascade Community. Since his arrival in June 2006, more than 1,200 members have joined and more than 50 ministries perform outreach services to the local, national, and global communities. Dr. Moss and Cascade have been featured by CNN, BBC, TBN, The History Channel, NPR, and The Atlanta Journal Constitution. In December 2011, Dr. Moss testified before the before the Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee on Capitol Hill on the long-term unemployment crisis.

Dr. Moss is involved in the greater Atlanta community at many levels including the Grady Health System Board of Visitors and the Georgia Department of Corrections Faith and Community-Based Advisory Board. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and 100 Black Men of Atlanta, Inc. He is the recipient of the Denman Evangelism Award for Church Growth in 2011 and 2003, the Freeman United Methodist Men’s Leadership Award in 2005, and the NAACP’s 2009 Emancipation Award. Dr. Moss is a member of the Board of Trustees at Gammon Theological Seminary, and inductee of the Martin Luther King Jr. Board of Preachers of Morehouse College. Others honors include Chosen Pastor at the 15th Annual Gospel Choice Awards, recipient of the Excellence in Spiritual Leadership Award by the Atlanta Chapter of the National Hampton Alumni Association, recipient of the “God’s Trombone Award” by the Rainbow Push Coalition and Citizenship Education Fund, The Bishop Henry McNeal Turner Award for Distinguished Achievement in Religion from Morris Brown College, Gammon Theological Seminary 2011 Distinguished Alumnus Award, and member of the Leadership Atlanta Class of 2011. He is currently writing his first book on effective transitional leadership as well an inspirational memoir.

Dr. Moss continues to preach with purpose, lead by example, and focus on his ultimate mission, Kingdom building. He is humbly guided by Luke 4:18-19, The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.

Media covering the Baccalaureate Service should arrive before the start of the program for best positioning. Parking will be available at the Gilbert-Lambuth Memorial Chapel. Please present your press credentials with the parking attendant and hostess inside.

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